Backpack For Medium Format

[Andrew O'Neill]

Two backpacks I'm interested in: The Vanguard Ulta Sky 45D, and Tenba Solstice 24L.
Do any of you have experience carrying medium format around in either of these backpacks? I'm looking for something for my RB67, 3 magazines, 3 lenses. I'm taking my gear in to see how much room I'll have. Just would like to hear from anyone who has had first hand experience with them.

 

[cjbecker]

Is this for just carrying photo gear or hiking+photo gear.

 

[GregY]

Andrew, I'd be leaning towards the Vanguard 45. I haven't used either but i've got lots of backpack carryover from my work. One thing that is key to me and often overlooked is the space between the shoulder strap attachment points. The ones with a wide spacing fall off your shoulders. Sternum straps are a relatively new thing. A pack should ride well without it.
24l is small for all your gear. It's always nice to have a little extra room if you're going more than a 100yards from the car with your gear
Caveat, I don't use proprietary camera backpacks. I've been a professional mountain climbing and ski guide for decades and i've carried many different packs all day everyday for decades. But I also don't carry an entire RB or P67 kit at one time.
I'm off for a month in the Alps & Dolomites in a few weeks with an Arcteryx Alpha SK32, with a Makina 670 & a Leica....but that's different than using a bag just to carry a camera kit.

 

[markjwyatt]

I have the Promaster Cityscape 70, and took my Mamiya C330f and 4 lenses, 2 meters (spot and Luna Pro SBC), plus accessories, and it worked fine. I had it configured for my Fujifilm XT-2, but by making a few quick adjustments, I got the C330f in. I packed the C330f with the 80mm lens attached. It has a hip belt so I was able to adjust it to carry the weight on my hips. I am thinking if I reconfigure it, I might get the C220f body in also.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Is this for just carrying photo gear or hiking+photo gear.

For carrying photo gear on "not too long" hikes.

 

[MattKing]

Here?:

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Andrew, I'd be leaning towards the Vanguard 45. I haven't used either but i've got lots of backpack carryover from my work. One thing that is key to me and often overlooked is the space between the shoulder strap attachment points. The ones with a wide spacing fall off your shoulders. Sternum straps are a relatively new thing. A pack should ride well without it.
24l is small for all your gear. It's always nice to have a little extra room if you're going more than a 100yards from the car with your gear
Caveat, I don't use proprietary camera backpacks. I've been a professional mountain climbing and ski guide for decades and i've carried many different packs all day everyday for decades. But I also don't carry an entire RB or P67 kit at one time.
I'm off for a month in the Alps & Dolomites in a few weeks with an Arcteryx Alpha SK32, with a Makina 670 & a Leica....but that's different than using a bag just to carry a camera kit.

Thanks, Greg. Right now, it's a toss up between that one and the Tenba.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Here?:
View attachment 310459

Yes!! My shoulder just can't take that shoulder bag any longer! We'll have to hike in there again, Matt. Are you game?

 

[MattKing]

I'm game - and this time I plan on getting the focus right!

 

[Pieter12]

I have a MindShift Backlight 26L. It takes my Rolleiflex 6008i with a prism finder, 3 lenses, 3 film inserts, batteries and more film with no problem.

 

[Donald Qualls]

MindShift Backlight 26L

For those of us trying to bottom-feed stuff like this, what are the dimensions on that backpack? I got a "medium format" backpack from eBay that's very nice -- but a little small to carry my RB67 and even two lenses plus a couple film backs. Ideally I'd like to be able to carry my 50, 90 (on the body), and 180 or 250, plus 6x7 and 6x4.5 backs, and have room for some film, filters, 0.45x adapter, etc. Waist level finder only is okay, don't want to carry the weight of the prism anyway. A lighter tripod is next...

 

[jeffreyg]

I have a Tamrac from their Extreme Series - forgot the number since I've been using it for quite some years. It can hold quite alot of medium format with adjustable inserts and backpack adjustments for fit and comfort. It fits in overhead compartments and has been in all kinds of weather and still looks almost new. I also carry a daypack size pack empty in checked luggage to carry what I think I would use when just walking around. When traveling my Tamrac usually holds two Hasselblad bodies, two lenses, a 2x(sometimes), light meter, several filters, cell phone, digital point and shoot, battery chargers, twenty rolls of film and a folded rain shell. Other than walking in the airport fully loaded it's too heavy for hiking or walking around a city. That's where the day pack comes in handy.

ABOUT | JEFFREY GLASSER

HOME | SCULPTURE and PHOTOGRAPHY

 

[Donald Qualls]

The info from ThinkTank: https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/mindshift-gear/products/backlight-26l

Ugh. Everything I'm finding is too small, divided into two compartments and too small, or specialized for DSLR only. Or way out of my price range...

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have a MindShift Backlight 26L. It takes my Rolleiflex 6008i with a prism finder, 3 lenses, 3 film inserts, batteries and more film with no problem. View attachment 310471

I prefer the top loading packs for cameras, less likely to dump out the equipment on the trail.

 

[reddesert]

Consider how it's going to carry, I think most "photo backpacks" that look like a space neatly filled with gear and dividers, turn into a big rectangle brick on your back that doesn't carry that well. If you fill a 45L bag with camera gear, that's a lot of weight.

I have something called a Lowepro Rover 35L - no longer made, shown here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/893432-REG/Lowepro_lp36447_pww_Rover_Pro_35L_AW.html It is more like a hiking/climbing daypack with an insert. I actually got it 2nd-hand and added an insert that was more flexible than the original. It has both top and panel opening which is relatively unusual for photo packs.

Don't forget to consider how you are going to attach a tripod, and some extras like a water bottle.

To do this on the cheap, I would try to find a good deal (or 2nd-hand) on a non-photo daypack ("technical" hiking pack, meaning it has extra carry features and is not a glorified bookbag), hopefully with a panel opening, and then get an inexpensive insert to put inside. Although top loading is more secure, panel loading makes it easier to access and to lay the pack down and use it as an organizer.

 

[Arthurwg]

Don't forget to consider how you are going to attach a tripod, and some extras like a water bottle.

I'm wondering how easy/ convenient it is to carry a tripod with this gear.

 

[pentaxuser]

Here?:
View attachment 310459

Matt,looks like sort of place where you need to leave a trail of donut crumbs to be sure of finding your way out again

pentaxuser

 

[Donald Qualls]

trail of donut crumbs

Won't that just result in you and the cop following behind you both being lost?

 

[Michael R T]

I have the same one for my ALPA MF digital kit.
It holds three lenses, camera, digital back, ground glass, filters and cords.
I always remove the internal inserts and use cases I stow my gear in outside of a backpack/bag.

The info from ThinkTank: https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/mindshift-gear/products/backlight-26l

Those zippered pouches look really nice. Where are they from? Does that say "Grass Gear?"

 

[MattKing]

Matt,looks like sort of place where you need to leave a trail of donut crumbs to be sure of finding your way out again

pentaxuser

Nah, there is a map:

 

[Sirius Glass]

I'm wondering how easy/ convenient it is to carry a tripod with this gear.

Use the straps to tie the tripod on either the top or the bottom of the pack. I never tried tying a tripod to the side of the pack.

 

[Pieter12]

Many photo specific packs have some sort of arrangement to attach a tripod. Some have straps on the side or a pouch and straps to fit a tripod vertically.

 

[Michael R T]

Hi Michael,

They were made by Gnass Gear, but Gnass has been out of business for about 10 years now.
A suitable replacement is made by Daniel Stone: https://www.stonephotogear.com/cases

Thank you!

 

[Donald Qualls]

Many photo specific packs have some sort of arrangement to attach a tripod. Some have straps on the side or a pouch and straps to fit a tripod vertically.

Sadly, none I've seen will accept my surveying tripod. It's almost four feet tall at maximum leg retraction with heavy aluminum extrusions for legs. Then again, when I bought it, it was inexpensive compared to others I'd found that would support my plate cameras, and it's VERY sturdy...

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Here's what I ended up with. The Tenba Solstice 24L. It has plenty of room for all my RB67 gear. I could stick my 350 up top, but that's a lens I rarely use so I probably wouldn't bother. I've got the body with holder and 50mm lens attached, 127, 100-200 zoom, two additional holders, prism finder... and ample room for filters, metre, etc. Lots of pockets..outer one for my laptop. My little tripod sits nicely on the side. It feels good on my back. I'll put it to the test next week on a wee hiking trip.

I stuck myself in for scale.